Throughout the College of Health Sciences, she is known for her knowledge of germ transmission, but her advice spread throughout the world on November 27. Duberg’s tips on keeping your Thanksgiving turkey free of germs and bacteria were featured on more than 350 news sites from local news organizations to national headlines.

Her Advice:

Before you begin preparing your turkey, clean the kitchen counter and sink with either a solution of one-part vinegar and nine-parts water or hot, soapy water.

“Make sure you clean everything from the counter to the utensils and the cutting boards, so that bacteria from your kitchen do not transfer to the turkey,” Duberg said in a university news release.

Thaw a frozen turkey evenly by refrigerating it for five to six days, putting it in cold water, or microwaving it. For every pound, let the turkey sit in cold water (less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit) for 30 minutes and change the water frequently. As the turkey sits in the water, the bird will thaw more evenly and at a temperature which slows the growth of bacteria.

“If you decide to thaw the turkey in a microwave, make sure you cook it immediately as some parts of the turkey may have heated unevenly and can start growing bacteria,” Duberg noted.

“Forty to 140 degrees Fahrenheit is the danger zone — that’s when the turkey is most prone to growing bacteria. It is essential that the turkey thaw and be kept cold until cooking (less than 40 degrees),” she explained.

Before cooking, make sure the turkey is completely thawed. If you’re cooking it without stuffing, check the temperature of the innermost part of the thigh, breast and wing with a food thermometer and make sure all are 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

“If you plan to put the stuffing inside the turkey, make sure the temperature of the center of the stuffing is 165 degrees Fahrenheit,” Duberg recommended.

Do not leave cooked turkey out for more than two hours.

“When the turkey is left out, any bacteria present will start growing. Children and the elderly with a weaker immune system could easily get sick,” she warned.